Treasure Mountain

Route: Yule Lake Trailhead
Posted On: 8/7/2024, By: JasonKline
Info: Summer conditions, with no snow or ice. I concur with other conditions updates that dropping back to the trail after descending Treasury is better than trying a higher line. 

Route: Treasury+Treasure combo
Posted On: 8/14/2023, By: cloudkicker
Info: This route is more of a grind-it-out combo than a traverse. Super scenic and remote on solid terrain most of the way, the latter of which is a rarity for the Elk range. The best way to pair the two is to backtrack on Treasurys ridge until you reach the grassy descent, as described in Supranihilests report. Supranihilests TR covers everything quite nicely. The upper route (south face, then connecting gullies to the saddle) apparently works for some people but just didnt look fun to us. We are also told that the ridge proper between the two does not go at all due to loose class 5 cliffs on Treasury near the saddle, so I added that more as a footnote even though every report mentions it. On the way to Treasure via the low route you will lose everything you gained on your Treasury ascent, first dropping to the Yule Pass area and then into the upper basin of Yule Creek before the grind up Treasure. But its worth it and the extra time you spend in the upper basin is a total joy. The only thing I would add to prior reports is that once you reach Yule Pass on the way to Treasure, head south all the way back to trail instead of spending time bushwhacking through willows and navigating small cliff bands in the upper drainage. We were reluctant to lose more elevation west of the pass, but the costs of staying off trail exceeded the benefits. The connect-the-cairn section between the lower Treasure trail and the wide grassy gully below 13000, was a ton of fun and very pretty on large slabs of granite that made for easy hiking. On the way back to Paradise Divide from Yule Pass we encountered two lingering snowfields that made things a little tricky. Microspikes would make quick work of both 20ft crossings. Otherwise, you can pick a way below or above these snowfields, but be aware that both options are loose and treacherous. At an average to above average pace we got the whole route done in 8.5 hours, including 45 minutes total in summit breaks. 

Route: From Treasury Mountain and Yule Lakes
Posted On: 7/6/2021, By: supranihilest
Info: From the summit of Treasury Mountain we descended southeast until we found easy passage southwest. This took us north of Yule Pass on generally gentle, grassy terrain. We took the Yule Pass trail until it split and took the right split as it ascended into a bunch of slabs reminiscent of the Weminuche Wilderness. Eventually the trail fizzled out in the rock and we made our way northwest into the basin east of Yule Lakes. The hiking here was gorgeous and fun on solid slabs and grass ramps. In the upper basin we ascended to Treasure's southeast ridge. This ascent was the steepest part of the day. Once on the ridge it's an easy hike to the summit. Breathtaking views from Treasure's summit. We reversed our route back to the Yule Pass trail then took that all the way back to Paradise Divide. As mentioned in my Treasury CR the Yule Pass trail is loose scree, highly eroded in some spots, and is also highly exposed. A slip on this trail has the potential to be fatal. Tread lightly. Bonus 12er Cinnamon Mountain (12,293'): from Paradise Divide there's a trail up Cinnamon Mountain. It can be ascended more directly if desired but it's steep and loose. The trail is hardly better, but overall an easy mountain. Exceptional views from Cinnamon as well. 

Route: Yule pass
Posted On: 8/16/2020, By: Sbenfield
Info: Straight forward up Treasury, dropped back down below ridge into basin, then up Treasure. Probably best to avoid difficult looking ridge if continuing on to Treasure 

Route: East Ridge from Yule Pass
Posted On: 7/9/2020, By: Flyingfish
Info: Three snowfields on the Yule Pass trail with only the last one being a significant hinderance but you can drop below and cross easily. The basin below the Treasure-Treasury saddle has a few large snowfield to cross. Some snow on the summit ridge but is avoidable. Snow was rock solid all day even after a few hours of sun till 11:30a. 

Route: West Face
Posted On: 9/14/2019, By: Grover
Info: TH: Yule Creek / Mileage: 12.0 Beautiful trail into the basin (but starts out steep). After crossing Yule Creek, there are two avalanche debris fields to negotiate. The spot to turn up to Yule Lakes is not marked, so you must choose the path of least resistance. I left the main trail at 10,400' and started up steep slopes under Yule Lakes. Eat some food and fuel up at the lakes, because it is another grind up steep grass and loose piles of talus to the ridge. If you have been atop Snowmass, Capitol, Hagerman or even just hiked up to Geneva Lake, the view over to those peaks and Lead King Basin is something you'll "treasure".